The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-08
To My FRIENDS
AND
THE MANY ADMIRERS OF My HUSBAND
DEDICATE THIS BOOK.

with reluctance to the appeals made to her for
the recital of events connected with the earlier
part of her husbands career, and not contained
in the several biographical sketches that have
been published. She adds:
THE task is difficult, and in some respects
painful to me; but as you, dear friends. who have
shown such kind persistency in urging the work
upon predict that it will interest others as
well as yourselves have resisted my disinclina-
ton and will give the narrative in my own way,
taking your thoughts back to those happier days
before the great storm, that later burst upon the
land had caught US up in its current and before
the clouds of persona! loss and deprivation had
overshadowed our lives. My husbands char-
aoter was of such noolo simplicity and
directness to be better illustrated by his
deeds and utterances than by any words
thar might be written, and these imperfect
recoLectons OF life that SO conspicuously
marked by unselfish ambition, great achieve
merts, the purest patriotism and the most con-
scientous adherence to truth and right at all
hazards must derive their interest from the per-
son to whom they relate and depend in but slight
measure on the manner Of the telling"
The narrative opens with the beginning of
married life, and then relates at length their
experiences in Florida, where the General was
sent in 1856 to fight the Seminole Indians, where
Mrs. Hancock was the only woman at the post
An account of the Generals ride of 2.100 miles on
mule back from Fort Leavenworth to California
earlier in life. is also given, with extracts of the
1ournAl ne kept on the Trip. IN 1901 tney came
North from Florida and spent several months in
Washington. A graphic picture of the social
life Of the capital at that time and some interest
ing personals are given.
''As refer to those days" writes Mrs Han.
cock so rich in memories and "reminiscences of
men and women who at that time, occupied the
most honorable and distinguished positions in
the government, and who we-e destined to play
80 important part in the great drama that soon
followed. may be pardoned il digress a little
in giving them passing notice. Miss Harriet
Lane, mistress of the White House. with her per-
soual charms and courtly manners. was a univer-
sal favorite. and did great credit 10 Mr.. Buchan-
ans administration. Mrs. Davis wife of the
Secretary OF War; Jefferson Davis, whom I well
remember, endowed with many remarkable
qualities that made her eminenty fitted 10 be a
presiding genius, and her entertainments brought
together the most cultivated class of Washington
society. Mrs. Joe Johnston was another shining
hight in that great capital. a person Of unusual
Intelligence. quick at repartee, which made her
most fascinating in conversation. Her charm
Ing reunions are long to be .remem bered by
those who were admitted in this charmed circle.
Our happiness that winter was complete, when
We left Washington with sincere regret and the
most agreeable impressions. How well I re-
member Gen. Robert E. Lee, then major. who
was stationed there at that time. He was the
beau ideal OF q soldier and gentleman"
In marked contrast TO these days is the account
Of how Mrs Hancock found Washington at the
outbreak of the Rebellion, when her husband
In accordance with my husbands wishes,
took house in Washington for the winter, that
! might readily reach him in case he were
wounded In the battles that were momentarily
sxDected. The air was full of rumors
which sometimes assumed tremendous proper
tons, and which too frequently credited
by those who should have been able to allay
sou.rrn ps'DFs DAYS a oeisl and soe,s
routine were quite as exacting, indeed, more so
than ordinarily. Washington society was ex-
TTemely diversified, frivolous and pretentious,
Offering materially from the brilliant assemblies
mat had Rraced the capital city in earlier days.
one OF the principal events Of that winter q
very exclusive ball. given by Mrs Lincoln at the
Mhite House. Such innovation upon escab-
Hsned customs subjected her to criticism |
from every quarter Nevertheless the ball was |
given. and passed off with great eclaL Mrs. |
Lincoln was congratulated upon the spirit of in |
dependence which she inauRurated in the execu-
nVe mansion and which should have found |
place there long before. She had the courage to
emancioate herself from the limited routine Of |
action aud habit prescribed for our Presidents
and their wives by the populace who religiously |
oeieved that the whole establishment, including |
them.
The invitations were to be limited to the Cabi-
net the Senate, the diplomatic corps and the
malor-generals Of the army and Brigadier-gen-
eral Hancock and his family were the only ex-
cspuons This was not understood by ourselves |
or our friends until explained to me by Mrs.
lincoln, VINO expressed her qualification at the
opportunity which enabled her to return the
nosoltality and attention that her sister and
other members of her family had received from
my mother upon different occasions when they
were visiting st. Louis. Mr.. Lincoln rather do
INJURED at hrst. but was overruled by his wife,
oha the invitation was extended. This simple
ano unexpected recognition by Mrs Lincoln
qulte won UPON me. In all the sorrows and re-
verses which came to her in after years she had
ny ny entire sympathy. and have always believed
nse ner subsequent pecuiariteS were occasioned
strain.
MT Lineoln's care-worn face recall to-day as
sNaly as then. At one OF his levees in passing
IN I remarked that IL would be showing n
sea.er consideration il were to refuse his prot
49,, hand as he must be weary enough of hand
gotten tones:
!, an, u this were all was called upon to do,
INV willingly would il be done for all times; but
M ~ no to the poor unforrurates who come to
rn ~ zoe belief that / am ali-powerful to pro-
-Suuee That little word of only three letters and
10 40 not and will not understand that can
A. ~ always as / wish. but have others to con- |
'nls Keeps me always unhappy"
81 SIanton frequently said to me: 'Mr. Lin
49, mas the biggest heart OF any man in the
hin I ana tor that reason we have TO watch
w. or tine Southern women with their winning
tbsus would get his permission to carry with
Soul enough contraband goods to supply the
southern army
"e period between the two visits to Wash
lyon Just quoted was spent by the Hancock
10y 10y IN Los Angeles. Cal Many were the ad-
lures had with the Indians, and, on one oc-
49, some chiefs who were present at the
$50 and heard Mrs. Hancock playing on the
c.. c. ieit IN high dudgeon because the Big
would not make trade with them, ex-
80 ne MS "squaw and music table" for ponies
49,. 'sNng OF their California life. Mrs. Han.
gives this account of her husbands first
prov,. s "nlle the secession movement was in
70 49,, ana mis- determined the Union element
overava kS plan for such a display that would
State. go. ne Opposition. A squadron OF United
LOO MIL. airy was ordered from Fort Tehone,
A"ay which, added TO the gathering